Memorial service for Isaac Antonio Perez, age 18, of Sulphur Springs, will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday April 29, 2015 at Hopkins County Civic Center with Rev. Jeff Harris and Rev. Jose Pacheco officiating. Pallbearers will be Anibal Perez, Christian Perez, Angel Perez, Adrian Perez, Charlie Perez, Gustavo Ramirez, Jessie Ortiz, Alex Gamez and Landon Watkins. Honorary Pallbearers will be Sulphur Springs High School Football Team and Sulphur Springs High School Band. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday April 28, 2015 at West Oaks Funeral Home.
He was born on November 5, 1996 in Green Bay, WI, the son of Antonio and Yolanda Anaya Perez. They survive. Isaac was a member of the SSHS Class of 2015 and a member of the National Honor Society. He played on the offensive line for the Sulphur Springs High School Football Team and played the trumpet in Sulphur Springs High School Band where he received the Rex Wilemon award. He was of Christian Faith. Isaac had received his acceptance letter to North Texas State University and was employed at Whataburger.
He is survived by a brother Anibal Perez, sisters Erica, and Brenda Perez all of Sulphur Springs, paternal grandfather, Francisco Perez, maternal grandparents, Carmelo Anaya, and Socorro Anaya both of Mexico. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Elpida Perez. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home.
A swimming accident led to the death of Isaac Perez Saturday afternoon April 25, 2015. Perez was a 2015 Senior at Sulphur Springs High School and scheduled for graduation in just weeks. KSST Sports made reference to Perez almost every Friday night both during play-by-play and half time at Wildcat football games. Perez was both a member of the Wildcat football varisity offensive line at right tackle and and the Wildcat Marching Band.
Landon Watkins, starting Center for the Wildcats said, “Isaac came in last year as a starter and he gelled right in with us. If you know us,” referring to the offensive line, Watkins said, “then you know it takes a special type of person to do that! He was just that Special! Isaac was hardworking, funny, and he always had a smile on his face. He played in the band and would be late to practice every now and then and man we gave him a hard time! He just smiled. He was a great friend and brother in the trenches! He will be missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN! As he would say RIGHT POWER! #60.”
Charles McCauley, Fine Arts Director and Wildcat Band Director said Perez death was a sad day for Sulphur Springs. He called Perez “one of our best kids.” McCauley noted that Perez played in the band, Wildcat Football, and worked at the local What-a-Burger. The band director said the outstanding young man was well loved by those who knew him.
SSHS Athletic Director and Wildcat Football Head Coach Greg Owens called Isaac “an outstanding young man, son, brother, friend, student, musician, and athlete. He was truly a honor to coach. He did everything that was asked of him with a great attitude and maximum effort. Isaac was an undersized offensive lineman, but his oversized heart allowed him to excel at his position. His work ethic was second to none-band practice, football practice, then to his job till 2 a.m., all while being an honor student. At halftime he would grab his instrument and march with the band, then grab his pads and helmet to go back into battle for the second half. He was an unselfish & good hearted kid. He cared about others first and loved being around his friends and family. Charlie McCauley and I spoke of him often-all we could say is ‘Wow, what a great kid’. It is hard to believe that an innocent day of fishing with your buddies could turn so tragic. It is a sobering reminder of how precious and fragile life is. Our hearts and prayers are with his family and friends. Yes, this phenomenal young man will be missed. I won’t dwell on how he died, but how he lived. Isaac Perez inspired everyone he came in contact with. I think Colossians 3:23 sums up the way Isaac lived–‘do it enthusiastically, as unto the Lord’.”
